Jay Jay Okocha calls for VAR in the NPFL after controversial penalty in Lagos

Nigerian football legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha was in attendance at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Sunday evening to witness the thrilling Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) encounter between Sporting Lagos and Abia Warriors.

The former Super Eagles captain was left jokingly unimpressed, however, when the referee awarded a controversial penalty to the visiting Warriors, with Okocha captured on camera gesturing for the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology to review the decision.

The incident occurred with the game delicately poised at 3-2 to the home side Sporting Lagos. The penalty decision appeared to give the Warriors a lifeline, but Sporting goalkeeper Christian Nwoke produced a remarkable save to preserve his side's lead.

Moments later, Sporting's Jonathan Alukwu, who had earlier restored the lead for the home team after Warriors came back from two goals down, completed his super-sub appearance by adding another to seal a 4-2 victory for Sporting Lagos.

Okocha's call for VAR intervention highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding the use of technology in Nigerian football, with the legendary midfielder seeing the funny side of the lack of such systems in the domestic league.

The former Bolton Wanderers and Paris Saint-Germain star is widely regarded as one of the most talented players to have graced the Nigerian game, and his presence at the match underscores the continued interest and involvement of the country's football icons in the domestic league.

The incident involving Okocha and the controversial penalty decision is likely to reignite more discussions about the need for improved officiating and the introduction of VAR technology in the Nigerian Football League.